PUGGAREE POEM 1932

Arthur Croft Stockman with a Puggaree around his neck. Courtesy of State Library SA

PUGAREE – Written by J.M.G. Queensland 1932

Pugaree! Oh pugaree!

Splendour of old memory –

Emblem of the man upon the land –

When he place it on his head

With its dangling tassels spread.

“Twas the pride of jackeroo or station hand.

It was worn on every station

Like a gallant decoration –

Is the times when things were wild and free –

When the horse they could not ride

Never stood up in its hide

For the man who wore the pugaree.

When they mustered up a run

“Neath a glaring red hot sun –

“Twas at daylight they would start away –

They were quick upon the job –

As they mustered up each mob,

From the places where the cattle stray,

Like demons they pursued

The cleanskin unsubdued,

That they found on ranges all around

While the lashing whip would crack

On the hide along its back –

They would wheel them to the camping ground.

In the yards they had to scruff

All the wild unbranded stuff

And they took them by the head and tail

With a sidestep and a pull

Down went the yearling bull –

In a way that made the cleanskin wail.

For its hide mist show the brand

When they took it there in hand –

No matter how they fought for liberty –

As it rose up with a bound

And charged across the pound –

“Twas fund for the boys in pugaree!

To the townships they would go,

At the bars they’d always blow

The froth from off the foaming beer;

Loudly talking there, of course,

All about their little horse

And the gallops, too, of its career.

Then the dice box got a spin

When they called a shilling in,

And the winner shouted for the company

For the glory and the pride

Where the overlanders ride –

They were men who wore the pugaree.

Are Indians An Ethnic Minority? Vols 1-5

© Len Kenna and Crystal Jordan 2014

austrialianindianhistory.com

Posted 12.03.2016